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Mason Today
By the People, for the People
East St. Louis Defeats Jacksonville in Sectional Semifinal
Flyers advance to 3A Waterloo Sectional final with 82-50 win
Published on Mar. 5, 2026
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East St. Louis High School's boys basketball team defeated Jacksonville High School 82-50 in the 3A Waterloo Sectional semifinal. The Flyers went on a 10-0 run to end the first quarter and never looked back, led by 30 points from Alex Johnson and 25 from Jamison White. Jacksonville's Troy DeFrates scored a team-high 18 points, but the Crimsons' season ends at 23-9 with their first Regional title since 2000.
Why it matters
This win puts East St. Louis one step closer to a state championship, continuing the program's strong season. For Jacksonville, the loss ends their best campaign in over 20 years, though the Crimsons can be proud of their Regional title and deep postseason run.
The details
After DeFrates opened the scoring with a dunk, East St. Louis went on a 10-0 run to close out the first quarter and take control of the game. The Flyers maintained their lead throughout, with Johnson and White combining for 55 of their 82 points. Jacksonville was led by DeFrates' 18 points, but couldn't overcome East St. Louis' balanced attack.
- The game was played on March 4, 2026.
The players
East St. Louis Flyers
The boys basketball team from East St. Louis High School.
Jacksonville Crimsons
The boys basketball team from Jacksonville High School.
Alex Johnson
A player for the East St. Louis Flyers who scored 30 points in the game.
Jamison White
A player for the East St. Louis Flyers who scored 25 points in the game.
Troy DeFrates
A player for the Jacksonville Crimsons who scored a team-high 18 points in the game.
What’s next
The East St. Louis Flyers will play Centralia High School in the 3A Waterloo Sectional final on Friday, March 6, 2026, with a berth in the state tournament on the line.
The takeaway
East St. Louis' dominant performance over Jacksonville showcases their strength as a team and their potential to make a deep run in the state tournament. Meanwhile, Jacksonville can be proud of their historic season, which included their first Regional title in over 20 years.
